Means for recording and indicating the playing of card games



2 Sheets-Sheet l T. C. BROWNELL MEANS FOR RECORDING ANDINDICATING THEPLAYING OF CARD GAMES Filed May 25, 1927 Oct. 8, 1929.

INVENTOR.

I C. Drowned,

ATTORNEY.

0 0:0 02:. 5 no u Oct. 8, 1929. 'r. c. BROWNELL MEANS FOR RECORDING ANDINDICATING THE PLAYING OF CARD GAMES Filed May 25, 1927 2 Sheets-SheetINVENTOR.

\ I ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 8, 1929 UNITED STATES THOMAS C. BROWNELL, OF NEW YORK, N.Y.

MEANS FOR RECORDING AND INDICATING THE PLAYING OF CARD GAMES Applicationfiled May 25, 1927. Serial No. 198,889.

Myinvention relates to means .for recording and indicating the hands,bidding, and pla ing of card games.

Iii accordance with my invention, I pro- 6 vide means whereby the cardsheld in each hand, when dealt, may be recorded. The bidding or passingby the players is also recorded. Each play made by the successiveplayers is also recorded, throughout each successive hand. The recordingis preferably effected by means of a plate having suitably designatedapertures, with a flexible sheet beneath the apertures. The records aremade in proper sequence by the insertion of a pencil or the like throughthe proper apertures, whereby marks or dots may be made upon the sheet.Means are provided to properly advance the sheet after the making ofeach record.

When the playing of the game has been completed, and the record producedupon the sheet, which will appear as dots on the sheet, the sheet isremoved from the machine and wound backwards upon the payout spool, andmay be fed through the machine in the same direction. This will firstbring to view through the apertures in the top plate, the dotsindicating the cards in the various hands, whereby each player will knowthe cards in his hand. Further advancement of the sheet will indicatethe proper bid or pass for each player, and the successive advancementof the sheet will indicate the various players, for each trick. By thismeans instruction may be furnished in the proper playing of a game ofcards, such as, bridge, for any given set of hands.

The sheet with the dots properly located thereon may be reproduced byany suitable means. It would, therefore, follow that a game of bridgemay be played by experts, and the record produced upon the sheet, whichmay be produced in any suitable numbers, and furnished to players havingthe machine, which players may thereby be instructed. I

the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate like 50 parts throughoutthe same,

Figure 1 is a plan view of a machine embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is a similar view with the top plate removed,

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the right side of the machine, partsbroken away,

Figure 4 is a similar view of the left hand end of the machine, partsbroken away, showing the reverse means and associate elements, 1

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the escapement.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration, is shown apreferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 10 designates atopplate, suitably supported by a frame 11. Formed upon the center of thistop plate, by printing or other means is the representation of a table12, having recesses 13, representing the positions of the players andthese positions are preferably numbered from one to four, inclusive.Arranged adj acent to these recesses 13 are apertures which may bedesignated 1 to 4/, inclusive. These apertures are staggered so thatthey are'- out of transverse alinement. The apertures extend through thetop plate while the other portions of the table are simply printed orotherwise marked thereon. There is also a set of apertures 1", 2", 3 and4". The apertures 1 to 4, inclusive, are employed to indicate thebidder, while apertures 1" to 4 are employed to indicate the leader.

Arranged upon the top 10 is a corresponding number of recording tables,1, 2, 3 and 4?, preferably arranged opposite the positions 13.

Each table is identical and a description of one will suffice for all.Each table is provided with four longitudinal sets of apertures 14,formed through the top 10, and these longitudinal sets are arranged insuperposed relation. At the left hand end of these sets are therepresentation of the suits of the cards, namely, clubs, diamonds,hearts and spades, as indicated at 15. The club designation shows thatthe uppermost set of apertures 14 is to be used in recording orindicating the plays in clubs, and the corresponding card designationsare for the same purpose,

in connection with the longitudinal sets of apertures. The longitudinalsets of apertures are preferably transversely staggered, as shown, sothat they will not overlap, in function. I preferably provide thedesignation Order of play, at the left hand top of the longitudinal setsof apertures 14. Arranged directly above the longitudinal sets ofapertures 14 are two longitudinal sets of apertures 17 and 18, formed inthe top 10. Arranged adjacent to the left hand of the longitudinal setof apertures 17 and in alinement therewith, is the designation Passes,as shown. at 19, and at the right and adjacent to this designation arethree apertures, as shown at 19, formed in the top. The apertures 19'form a. separate group from the upper set of apertures 17, and thedesignation Passes does not apply to either of the sets of apertures 17and 18. Arranged directly beneath the designation, Passes, is adesignation N o triunps, as indicatedat 20. This designation, No trumpsis in alinemcnt with the lower set of apertures 18 and is employed todesignate the same. Arranged directly over the designation Passes, is adesignation Order of bidding, as indicated at 20", and this designationis applicable to the uppermost horizontal set 17 of apertures. Arrangedabove each of the sets of apertures is a longitudinal scale, designatedat 21, embodying numerals running consecutively from one to ten,inclusive, and including J, Q, K

and A. standing for jack, queen, king and ace. This scale is co-relatedwith the sets of apertures 17 and 18, to designate certain of theapertures therein by numerals, for indicating bidding and is alsoco-related with the set of apertures 14, for designating the characterof the cards, played, in which event the numerals two to ten, inclusive,and the letters, J. Q, K and A, will be employed.

The casing 11 is provided at its ends with brackets 22, extending uponthe rear side of the machine. These brackets pivotally supporta pay-outspool 23, carrying a sheet 24', formed of paper or the like. This sheet.is passed through a longitudinal slot 25, formed adjacent to the topplate 10 and is adapted to pass beneath the perforated top plate 10 andrest upon a table or supporting plate 23, and is then adapted todischarge through a slot 26'. formed in the rear edge of the casing 11,adjacent to the top plate 10. The sheet passes over a roller 22. whichserves to press the same against the perforated top plate. The sheetalso passes over a feed roller 24, having frictional engagementtherewith, pressing the same against the top plate 10 and serving todrive it. The feed roller 24 has frictional engagement with the sheet todrive it, as explained. and this frictional engagement may be effectedby any well known means, such as by forming the periphery of the rollerof rubber, or corruga-ting the same, or providing the roll with teeth toenter openings in the sheet. The spool 23", and rollers 22 and 24, allextend longitudinally of the plate 10, and the sheet is fed transverselyof the plate 10. The roller 22 is carried by a shaft 22, the right endof which is suitably journaled in the casing 11, while the left end ofthe shaft 22 is journaled in a vertically adjustable support or bar 23",arranged near the left side of the machine. The drive spool 24 ispreferably hollow and receives a torsional coil spring 25, one end ofwhich is attached to a rod 26, and the other end to the side of thehollow spool 24, as shown. The rod 26 has its right end journaledthrough an opening in the casing 10 and extends outwardly of the same. Akey 27 is attached to the rod or shaft 26 to turn the same and thusplace the spring 25 under tension. The left end of the rod or shaft 26is journaled in the vertically ad ustable support 23", and this end ofthe rod 26 carries a ratchet wheel 27' engaged by a pawl 28, mounted onthe support 23 This pawl and ratchet means prevents back turning of theshaft 26. The spring 25 turns the drum 24 with relation to the shaft 26,to feed the sheet, as is obvious.

An escapement wheel 28 is rigidly attached to the right end of the drum24 but is rotatable upon. the shaft 26. This escapement wheel is adaptedto be alternately engaged by dogs 29 and 30, carried by angularlyarranged arms 31 and 32, rigidly secured to a pivoted arm 33.

The pivoted arm 33 is held raised by a spring 34 and is depressed by abutton 35 or the like. Upon each depression of the button 35 and itsrelease the escapement wheel 28 and feed roller 24 will advance onestep, which will effect the travel of the sheet 24, by an amount equalto distance between the apertures, in either direction of travel.

The support 23 is held raised by a rod 36, guided within a sleeve 37,and moved upwardly by a spring 38. The spring 38, therefore. maintainsthe rollers 22 and 24 in frictional engagement with the sheet 24. Thesupport 23 may be depressed by a knob 24, rigidly sccured thereto, andoperating through a slot in the casing 11.

As illustrating the method of recording the playing of the game ofbridge, it may be assumed that the player at the position 1?; indicated1 is the dealer. A pencil point may now be passed through theaperture 1. making a dot upon the sheet 24', and the button 35 will thenbe depressed to advance. the sheet 24', one step. The cards are dealt inthe usual manner and each player will have thirteen cards, the jokerbeing removed. A record of the cards in each hand must now be made.Assuming that player 2. who will make the bid, holds a hand containingthe ace, king and queen of diamonds and king, queen, ten, nine, eight,seven, six, five, four and two the sheet 24.

this, by inserting the point of the of clubs, a record is made of thesecards, by inserting the point of the pencil through the proper apertures14 in the table 2, thus producing correspondingly located dots on Inthis manner all of the cards held by the player 2 are recorded and thesheet 24 may be advanced one step, and in a similar manner all othercards held by the other players are recorded. Pla er I having dealt thecards, now has the rst bid, and

assuming that he passes, a record of this is made by inserting the pointof the pencil through the aperture 1 and through the first aperture 19to the left in table 1, making a dot on the sheet 24. Player 2 may nowbid two diamonds, and a record is made of penil through the aperture 2and through the aperture in set 17, beneath 2, in scale 21, and throughthe aperture '14, designated Diamonds, beneath the 2 designation. In asimilar manner the bidding of each successive player may be recorded,and it may also be recorded in playing no trumps, by the use of theapertures 18, as is obvious. The bidding being concluded by all of theplayers, the button 35 is depressed and released and the sheet 24'advanced to the next step. It being assumed that player 4, the partnerof player 2, bids seven diamonds, and all other players passed, anddiamonds are trumps, player 2 will have the lead, and player 4 will havehis hand laid upon the table. Player 2 may now lead the ace of diamondsand this is recorded by inserting the pencil point through the aperture14, table 2 beneath the designation A, and opposite the diamonddesignation. The play of each successive player, during the taking of atrick is recorded in a similar manner, each trick appearing complete atone time. At the end of the taking of the trick, the button 35 is againdepressed and the sheet 2% advanced to the next position, The partytaking the last trick leads, as may be shown by inserting the pencilthrough the aperture at the table, and his next play is recorded by theoperation hereinbefore explained.

At the conclusion of the game, a complete record has been made, of everyplay, bids, and also the cards in each hand.

To furnish instructions in the playing of the game, the sheet 24, whichhas been fed from the forward end of the machine may now be removed fromthe machine, and is rewound backwards upon the pay-out spool 23*, andagain fed forwardly in the same direction, by means of the feed roller24, through the machine. This will bring the dots recorded upon thesheet 24 beneath the corresponding apertures, and by virtue of the(lesignations of these apertures, the cards referred to by them may beascertained. For instance, the sheet 24 with the record thereon isadvanced to the first position whereby the various dots recording thecards in the various hands, are visible through the apertures 14 of thetables, and these hands may become known or reproduced to the players bygiving them correspondin cards. The further advancement of the sheet 24will indi- (ate the bidding and further advancement will indicate theplaying of the cards in the taking of each trick.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention, herewith shown anddescribed, is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and thatvar1ous changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may beresorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention, or thescope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. A machine for indicatingthe various transactions which have occurred in playing a game of cards,comprising a support, a top plate mounted upon the support and havingapertures which are designated for indicating the plays in the ame, asupport late arranged near and heneath the top p ate and extendingthroughout the major portion of the length of the top plate and adaptedto receive thereon a sheet, a pay-out spool mounted upon the supportexteriorly of the same and the top plate and arranged adjacent to oneend of the top plate and serving to carry said sheet, a feed rollerarranged Within the support outwardly of and adjacent to the end of thesupport plate and adapted to engage with the sheet traveling upon saidsupport plate, said feed roller engaging be neath the sheet and servingto hold the same against the top plate and to advance said sheet,yielding means to move the feed roller upwardly with relation to the topplate so that it has a driving frictional engagement with said sheet,means to impart a step by step turning movement to the feed roller, andmeans to depress the feed roller so that it releases the sheet and saidsheet may be readily rewound in whole or in part upon the pay out spool,the support plate serving to guide the sheet to the feed roller forengagement therewith.

2. Av machine for indicating the various transactions which haveoccurred in the playing of a game of cars, comprising a support, a topplate mounted upon the support and having sets of apertures which aredesignated for indicating the various plays in the game, said sets ofapertures being so arranged that they co-act with a flexible sheethaving a step by step movement, a support plate arranged near andbeneath the apertured top plate and terminating at one end at a pointspaced inwardly from the corresponding end of the top plate, a pay-outspool mounted upon the support exteriorly of the support and the toplate a d arranged adjacent to one end of the top plate and serving tocarry said sheet, a feed roller carried by the support outwardly of andadjacent to the forward end of the support plate and beneath theadjacent end of the top plate, said feed roller engaging beneath thesheet and serving to hold the same against the top plate and to advancesaid sheet, yielding means to move the feed roller upwardly withrelation to the top plate so that it has driving frictional engagementwith said sheet, power means tending to turn the feed roller, pawl andratchet escapement means connected with the feed roller and adapted tobe manually actuated so that the power means may impart a step by stepturning movement to the feed roller, manually actuated means to depressthe feed roller so that it releases the sheet and said sheet may bereadily rewound in whole or in part upon the pay-out spool, the supportplate serving to guide the sheet to the feed roller for engagementtherewith.

3. A machine for indicating the various transactions which have occurredin the playing of a game of cards, comprising a support, a top platemounted upon the support and having sets of apertures which aredesignated for indicating the various plays in the game, said sets ofapertures being so arranged that they co-act with a flexible sheethaving a step by step movement. a support plate arranged near andbeneath the apertured stop plate and being shorter than the same wherebyone end is spaced from the corresponding end of the top plate, a pay-outspool mounted upon the support and arranged adjacent to one end of thetop plate and serving to carry said sheet, a feed roller carried"- bythe support and arranged outwardly of the end of the support plate andbeneath the adjacent end of the top plate, said feed roller engagingbeneath the sheet and serving to hold the same against the top plate andto advance said sheet, yielding means to move the feed roller upwardlywith relation to the top plate so that said feed roller has drivingfrictional engagement with said sheet, a spring motor to turn the feedroller including a spring mounted within the feed roller, pawl andratchet escapement means connected with the feed roller and adapted tobe manually actuated so that the spring motor may impart astep by stepturning movement to the feed roller, and manually actuated means todepress the feed roller so that it releases the sheet and said sheet maybe readily rewound in whole or in part upon the pay-out spool, thesupport plate serving to guide the sheet to the feed roller forengagement therewith.

In testimonv whereof I afiix my signature.

THOMAS C. BROWNELL.

